When Graves’ disease is suspected based on a person’s symptoms (particularly skin and eye symptoms and an enlarged thyroid gland), a doctor will order testing to evaluate thyroid gland function. Blood tests will be performed to analyze levels of thyroid hormones and check for the presence of particular autoantibodies. Diagnosis can be confirmed through radioactive iodine uptake testing. The thyroid gland absorbs iodine to make thyroid hormones, and in people with Graves’ disease, overproduction of thyroid hormones increases iodine uptake by the thyroid gland, which can be measured with a thyroid scan. Doctors will also use the thyroid scan to analyze the pattern of iodine uptake, which can help to distinguish Graves’ disease from other thyroid disorders.[1]
How is Graves’ disease diagnosed?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Graves’ disease is diagnosed through a combination of symptom evaluation, blood tests for thyroid hormone levels and autoantibodies, and radioactive iodine uptake testing. A thyroid scan measures iodine absorption, which helps confirm the diagnosis and differentiate it from other thyroid disorders.